Tastemaker Tournament
Austin's 4 best new restaurants tempt with charcuterie, tapas and comfort classics
As is tradition with the CultureMap Tastemaker Awards, we're putting the winner of the Best New Restaurant title in your hands.
The third annual Tastemaker tournament kicked off earlier this month with 16 contenders going head-to-head in eight heated match-ups voted on by you, our trusted readers. After two rounds and a few upsets (no Qui! no Odd Duck!), we're down to the final days of the online portion of the tournament — and only four restaurants remain.
Austin, your final four contenders for the Best New Restaurant title are: Barlata, No Va, Salt & Time and Winebelly. Before you vote, let's refresh our taste buds on what these four fine establishments have to offer.
Barlata
Located on South Lamar Boulevard, Barlata spices things up with Spanish-inspired cuisine. Come for the shareable tapas and delicious paellas, stay for the lively atmosphere and authentic entertainment.
No Va
Nestled in the sea of bars that rule Rainey Street, No Va serves up homespun versions of sophisticated classic fare. This is comfort food so good that it defeated Ramen Tatsu-Ya in the second round of our tournament.
Salt & Time
East Austin's beloved butcher shop and salumeria is more than just a go-to stop for meat to serve at home. We suggest taking in lunch here with a made-to-order sandwich, or grabbing a spot at the bar for dinner where you can grab a pint of beer to pair with house-made charcuterie.
Winebelly
A surprising star of this competition, Winebelly is delighting South Austinites with its tapas-style menu and one of the best wine lists in town.
You can vote once per day through May 2 for your favorite restaurant. Then, join us at the Tastemakers on May 7 at Brazos Hall, where the winner will be determined in a live vote. Plus, you'll get to sample bites from three of the finalists: Barlata, No Va and Salt & Time.